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Carnival revellers in action.
Al Edwards, Business Co-ordinator
LOCAL LOTTERY company Supreme Ventures has lent its considerable weight in supporting the Byron Lee-led Jamaica Carnival 2004 as main sponsor and this weekend helped in kicking off roadshows in Negril and Montego Bay.
Speaking on the importance of carnival to the economy, Supreme Ventures' President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian George, said: "Carnival is, in fact, an industry of considerable economic significance as it has the potential to bring substantial benefits to a country and its people. It is an industry that supports tourism and employment opportunities in the greater sense of the word.
"Internationally, and in particular at this time of year in Jamaica, many [persons] are employed through various avenues related to carnival. Employment generation and economic benefits are derived for example, through tourism; through the music industry - look at the industry's popular singers, songwriters and bands such as Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, David Rudder, and Sparrow; it is also derived through employment of advertisement and promotional professionals; the transportation industry (especially land and air); the beverage and food industry; the hospitality industry (hotels and guest houses); the media with respect to broadcast rights; the vendor on the road selling her cooked food and fruits; and of course, spectators and participants who spend money across the industry for a variety of reasons other than those mentioned before I could go on and on."
He stressed the importance of carnival to the tourism industry and pointed out ththat it is another opportunity to sell Jamaica as a tourist destination.
"We only have to take a look at our sister island of Trinidad & Tobago, where carnival is a thriving industry which brings in thousands of people from across the globe to not only participate in the fetes and road marches, but who, by virtue of this, learn more about the island, sample the food, attractions and hospitality, and therefore come back at other times on vacation, while others begin to do business with local companies.
A February 2003 article in the Trinidad Guardian estimated that the total contribution of carnival to the Trinidad & Tobago economy was between TT$600 to $800 million (J$6 billion to $8 billion).
In 2002, approximately 50,000 people, consisting of former residents now living overseas, as well as tourists, visited Trinidad for carnival.
"Just as important to Supreme Ventures as the economic benefits to be derived from carnival however, is the fact that Carnival carries an overriding theme of unity. The spirit of carnival is one of inclusion the inclusion of all levels and races in the society, no matter your colour, whether rich or poor, wherever you reside carnival brings everyone together in a massive flurry of colour, vitality, and celebration it bonds us together and shows the irrepressibility of the human spirit. It cuts across barriers," said Mr. George.
